Child welfare agency leaders, including tribal child welfare administrators, and other decision makers possess substantial power and influence that can be leveraged toward advancing equity in research and evaluation.
National momentum is growing to identify and address the disproportionality and disparities that diverse communities along the child welfare continuum experience. These include the well documented disparities and adverse impacts experienced by Black and Native American/Alaska Native communities; they extend to many different groups of children and families, including those who are Hispanic/Latino/Latina, who are LGBTQIA, who live with disabilities, who are immigrants, and any additional communities that experience marginalization and disenfranchisement by the child welfare system (Kim et al., 2017; Roberts, 2002; Font et al., 2012; Putnam-Hornstein et al., 2012; Yi et al., 2020; Cooper, 2013; Fluke et al., 2011; Day et al., 2020).
The research and evaluation process can be a powerful tool for recognizing where disparities exist, identifying root causes and contributing factors, and informing the development of strategies and solutions. However, research and evaluation efforts can also perpetuate inequities, reinforce inherent bias, and contribute to the status quo if equity considerations are not intentionally integrated into the research and evaluation process (Tajima et al., 2021). Inarguably, researchers and evaluators play a critical role in advancing equity in child welfare, and several excellent tools and resources are available to guide their efforts (Andrews et al., 2019; Dean-Coffey et al., 2014; Public Policy Associates, Inc., 2015).
This brief (the Guide) was developed as a resource for child welfare leaders and decision makers. For purposes of this resource, these include state and local child welfare agency directors and executive leadership; managers who oversee research and evaluation grants and contracts; and any other decision makers at the federal, state, and local level who are
responsible for conceptualizing, funding, and overseeing research and evaluation efforts. This resource can also be an important tool for others, including researchers and evaluators. (author introduction)